Paid Promotion

CITIES

Sacred city:
A traveller's guide
to Madinah

Considered to be the second holiest site in Islam, non-Muslim travellers to Saudi now have an opportunity to visit the sacrosanct city of Madinah...

By Shaistha Khan

In the Islamic faith, the city of Madinah holds great reverence. It's where millions come every year to pray in Masjid al-Nabawi (the mosque of the Prophet) and pay their salutations upon the grave of Prophet Mohammed, the last prophet of Islam.

While it was previously possible to visit Saudi on a religious or business visa, the country is now opening up to leisure travel and tourism. And non-Muslim tourists have an opportunity to see why the city of Madinah al Munawara – with its abundant date farms and as a centre for Islamic study and theology – is 'enlightened' in more ways than one.

A brief history of Madinah

Before the advent of Islam, an agricultural settlement and oasis on the trade route known as the Incense Road in the western Hejaz region of the Arabian Peninsula was known as Yathrib. The Prophet and his companions migrated to Yathrib in 622 CE after encountering prosecution in Mecca. It was here that the Islamic faith flourished, with some people branding it 'the cradle of Islam'.

It was also in Madinah that several verses of the holy book, the Quran were revealed, with references to the city and the pivotal role it played in the spread of Islam.

During the lifetime of the Prophet, Madinah was the administrative capital of the Muslim ummah (community) and later, one of the seats of power for the caliphates.

The most important landmark in the city is Al Masjid An-Nabawi, characterised by a green dome. Built in 622 CE, the mosque also served as a modest quarter for the Prophet and his family and a community centre. The mosque has been renovated over the years, and now the premises include the tomb of the Prophet and his closest companions. The Prophet's Mosque Expansion Exhibition next to the mosque has many interactive films and displays showing how it's grown over the years.

Can non-Muslims visit?

While non-Muslim travellers can now visit Madinah city, they cannot access or go inside the Prophet’s Mosque. However, visiting the mosque’s outer courtyard at sunset, just as the ornate, large umbrellas (that provide shade to worshippers during the day) go down, coinciding with the call-to-prayer can prove to be quite a serene and beautiful moment to experience. Please note that Madinah is a very conservative city and we'd advise fully covering your arms and legs when visiting.

Other religious and cultural attractions in the city include the Jannat al-Baqi cemetery, the Seven Mosques, Quba Mosque, Mount ‘Uhud, Dar Al Madinah Museum, and the Hijaz Railway. As with any place of worship or religious significance, travellers should ensure that their attire is appropriate. Men should ensure their legs and shoulders are covered, while women must also wear a headscarf).

Ways to soak up Madinah's
sacred culture

Learn about Madinah's Islamic history

Southeast to the Prophet’s Mosque lies Jannat al-Baqi, a cemetery where the Prophet’s family and martyrs of war are buried. Madinah is also home to some of Islam’s oldest or most revered mosques, including the seven mosques.

In the north-west part of the city, Masjid al-Qiblatayn is where Prophet Mohammed received a revelation to change the Qibla or direction of prayer from Jerusalem to Mecca. Muslims all over the world now pray facing the Kabbah in Mecca. The other notable mosques are Al-Fateh Mosque, Salman Al-Farisi Mosque, Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque, Umar ibn Al-Khattab Mosque, Ali ibn abi Talib Mosque (the last four named after the companions of the Prophet) and Fatima al-Zahra Mosque (named after his daughter).

Another important mosque in Madinah is the Masjid Quba, where the Prophet is said to have laid the foundation for the first mosque in Islam. Muslims believe that praying a short, obligatory prayer in this mosque is equivalent to completing one Umrah pilgrimage.

Mount Uhud in Madinah has played a crucial role in the spread of Islam. The Battle of Badr in 624 CE was a pivotal victory for the small Muslim army against the large army of the Meccan, Quraysh tribe. In retaliation, the Quraysh defeated the Muslim army in the Battle of ‘Uhud in 625 CE. While it was a tragic event in the history of Islam, the Prophet is said to have sought refuge in Mount Uhud and many of the battle martyrs are buried on Mount ‘Uhud premises. Other religious and cultural attractions in the city include the Jannat al-Baqi cemetery, the Seven Mosques, Quba Mosque, Mount ‘Uhud, Dar Al Madinah Museum, and the Hijaz Railway. As with any place of worship or religious significance, travellers should ensure that their attire is appropriate. Men should ensure their legs and shoulders are covered, while women must also wear a headscarf). It was also in Madinah that several verses of the holy book, the Quran were revealed, with references to the city and the pivotal role it played in the spread of Islam.

During the lifetime of the Prophet, Madinah was the administrative capital of the Muslim ummah (community) and later, one of the seats of power for the caliphates.

The most important landmark in the city is Al Masjid An-Nabawi, characterised by a green dome. Built in 622 CE, the mosque also served as a modest quarter for the Prophet and his family and a community centre. The mosque has been renovated over the years, and now the premises include the tomb of the Prophet and his closest companions. The Prophet's Mosque Expansion Exhibition next to the mosque has many interactive films and displays showing how it's grown over the years.

Delve into Madinah's history at the
Dar Al Madinah Museum

Head to the Dar Al Madinah Museum to learn more about the city’s significance and history through the ages – from pre-Islamic Madinah to the Prophet’s time, the rule of the caliphates, and the customs and culture of the Hijaz region. The museum features 14 halls of manuscripts, antiques, and miniature displays, including the original design of the Prophet’s Mosque and its grand evolution over time.

Visit the Hejaz Railway Station

The Hejaz Railways was conceived by Ottoman Sultan II, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire in 1900. The magnum opus was meant to connect Istanbul to Mecca for pilgrimage and trade. It got only as far as connecting Damascus to Madinah before the project was abandoned at the onset of World War I. The Medina station depot is in the Anbariya District, west of the Prophet’s Mosque. Some distinctive features of the depot are the black stones used to build the structure and its 17 arches.

Today, the renovated station stands as a testament to its former glory – and what it could have been. To learn more of the Hejjaz Railways, you can also tourists can visit the depot in Hegra, AlUla, nearly 300 kilometres north of Madinah, as part of a guided tour. Travellers to Madinah city can combine their trip with AlUla, which is another crown jewel in Saudi’s tourism offerings.

Practical information

Visas

It’s surprisingly simple and easy to get an e-Visa for Saudi and the process is very similar to applying for an ESTA for the USA. Over 50 nationalities are eligible to apply for an e-Visa, including people from the UK and USA, with it costing (at the time of writing) 535 Saudi riyals (about £115 or US$143). Applications are swift and nearly all applicants will receive a response within three working days – most within 24 hours. To apply for your Saudi e-Visa, visit the official Saudi Tourism Authority website. If you’re from the USA, UK or the Schengen Area, you can also apply for a visa on arrival into Saudi. It’s slightly cheaper than an e-Visa, too, at SAR480 (about £102 or US$128).

Getting there & around

With plenty of direct flight links from the UK to Saudi, it’s really easy to get to the country. Saudi’s national airline SAUDIA flies to Riyadh three times daily from London Heathrow, while British Airways also offers a regular service from Heathrow with daily flights to the capital. SAUDIA also operates twice daily flights to Jeddah from London Heathrow and daily flights from London Gatwick. If you’re travelling from the US, SAUDIA offers direct flights to Riyadh from both New York City and Washington, D.C., as well as direct flights to Jeddah from New York City, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.

Local customs

To really embrace Saudi life and pay respect towards its traditions, there are a few local customs you should abide when travelling around the country. Both men and women should wear clothing that covers their elbows and below their knees when out in public. If you’re heading to the coast, it’s still expected you dress modestly. When meeting and greeting locals, whether it’s a market stallholder or a private guide, say hello with ‘salam alaykum’, which means ‘peace be upon you’, as well as offering a handshake.

Weather

You might think it’s hot all year round in Saudi but it’s a little more nuanced than that. The best time to visit Riyadh is between October and March, when temperatures can dip as low as 20°C during the daytime and rarely exceed 30°C. Summer months in Riyadh can get extremely hot, with temperatures often above 40°C between June and September.

FAQ

Is English spoken in Saudi?

Arabic is the official national language but English is widely spoken.

What is the currency of Saudi?

The currency of Saudi is the riyal, with the current rate (at the time of writing), around SAR4.76 to the UK£. You’ll need to pre-order money before you travel, as in the UK it’s not usually stocked in currency exchange booths.

What’s it like travelling in Saudi as a female?

We think you’d be surprised! To find out more, read our first-hand account on what it’s like to travel in Saudi.

What’s the time difference in Saudi?

Saudi follows Arabia Standard Time (GMT +3) all year round.